Civic Engagement
Resource Hub

The US Election Assistance Commission provides Voting 101 guides. This resource answers questions related to voter eligibility, required materials, and what new voters expect. View these guides here.

A note on voter suppression from When We All Vote:

• What does voter suppression look like – Voter suppression can look like long lines, hours of waiting, broken voting machines, limiting polling locations, and other barriers to voting are all forms of voter suppression and it disproportionately impacts young people and communities of color. Voter suppression is not partisan, and intentional or unintentional, it is a sign of democracy that is neither free nor just.

Basic voting rights to be aware of:

1. If you are in line when polls are supposed to close, stay in line – you have the right to vote.
2. If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
3. If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot
4. If your citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications are questioned, immediately call the Election Protection Hotline where trained volunteers are available to help.
5. If you run into any problems or have questions before or on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:
   • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
   • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
   • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
   • For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-API-VOTE / 1-888-274-8683

Source: When We All Vote

TRANSform the Vote is a nationwide movement of transgender people and our allies transforming the nation by making our voices heard at the ballot box. The following information is provided by TRANSform the Vote.

• Voting is a key part of our participation in society and having our voices heard in the issues that affect us all, and we have the right to vote regardless of gender identity. Having ID that doesn’t match your gender identity or presentation should not affect your right to cast a ballot, in any state. But with increasingly strict voter ID laws, trans people may face barriers—both because of difficulties in obtaining an ID that’s accepted, or because they might run into bias or misunderstandings of the law when it comes to their gender.
• 
  As the fight against restrictive voter ID and other voter suppression laws continues, knowing your rights can help avoid or solve problems at the polls. We want everyone to get out and vote! Find out what your state’s laws are, what to expect at the polls, and what to do in case your right to vote is challenged. – TRANSfrom the Vote

Voter ID Requirements and Protections

• Ahead of the election, check whether you are registered to vote. If you’re registered, verify that the name and address on your registration are up to date.
• 
  Next, check to see if an ID is required when you vote in your state and then get the appropriate form of ID if needed. If ID is needed in your state, make sure your name and address on your voter registration matches your name and address on your ID by the election. If you need to update your documents, Advocates for Trans Equality has an ID Document Center to guide you through the process.
• 
  If ID is required in your state, bring it. It’s helpful to bring your voter registration card, a utility bill showing the address where you are registered, and this document. You might also want to bring other IDs if you have them.
• 
  Your gender presentation doesn’t need to match the name, photo, or gender marker on your ID to vote, as that is not required by law. If poll workers question your identity or eligibility to vote, show them a utility bill and the “Information for Poll Workers and Election Officials” overview from TRANSform the Vote.

Additional Voting Issues

• If you are still not allowed to vote, look for a volunteer attorney who may be there assisting voters. If no one is around, call the National Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
• 
  If you are still not allowed to vote on a regular ballot, request a provisional ballot. If you are forced to use a provisional ballot, ask for follow-up instructions, as you generally must return to election officials within a few days to prove your identity in order for your ballot to be counted. If you cast a provisional ballot, call the National Election Protection Hotline at 866-OURVOTE (866-687-8683), which can help you make sure your ballot is counted.
• 
  Alternatively, consider signing up to vote by mail, also known as absentee voting, if your state allows it.

Full Text from “Information for Poll Workers and Election Officials”

• 
  The voter you are talking to is transgender, meaning that their gender identity is different than the gender that was recorded on their birth certificate. Transgender people are sometimes unable to update their IDs to reflect their identity for a number of reasons. This is not illegal. As long as the relevant voter data (usually the name and address) matches one of the acceptable forms of ID, the voter has the right to vote. Please do not be distracted by gender presentation when you are evaluating a voter’s identity and eligibility to vote.
• 
  Other information that might be useful to you:
  • 
    Gender discrepancies on ID are not a valid reason to deny a regular ballot. Transgender voters may have ID that indicates a different gender than what they look like. They may not have had the opportunity to update their ID yet, or may not be able to do so in your state. This does not mean their ID is invalid or fraudulent for voting.
  • 
    Different clothing, makeup or hairstyle on an ID photo is not a valid reason to deny a regular ballot. Voters may look different today than on their photo ID for many reasons. The photo on an ID may show a different gender presentation. As long as you can identify the voter from their picture, the ID is valid for voting.
  • 
    A voter’s transgender status and medical history is private. Although you may be curious or confused about a voter’s appearance, asking personal questions is offensive, inappropriate, and not relevant to their right to vote.
  • 
    Transgender voters are not doing anything wrong or trying to deceive you—they are just being themselves. Transgender people have the right to vote just like everyone else, and it is your responsibility to ensure they are able to do so without hassle. If confusion about this person’s right to vote persists, please speak to an e election supervisor or election judge in your area to resolve any remaining questions.

The Americans with Disabilities Act website states: Voting is one of our nation’s most fundamental rights and a hallmark of our democracy. Yet for too long, many people with disabilities have been excluded from this core aspect of citizenship. People with intellectual or mental health disabilities have been prevented from voting because of prejudicial assumptions about their capabilities. People who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids, such as walkers, have been unable to enter the polling place to cast their ballot because there was no ramp. People who are blind or have low vision could not cast their vote because the ballot was completely inaccessible to them. The ADA offers an extensive overview of federal voting protections here.

Whether you vote in person or by mail, you have a right to accessibility accommodations. Vote.gov offers a guide to voting accommodations here.

Accessibility accommodations when voting in person:

When you vote in person, you have a right to ask for accessibility accommodations that make it easy for you to vote. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) checklist on polling place accessibility has information about what you can ask for. Examples of accessibility accommodations protected by law include:

• Service animal support
• Someone to help you vote (cannot be your employer or union representative)
• Handrails on all stairs at the voting location
• Accessible parking places
• Voting and election materials in large print
• Entrances and doorways at the voting location that are at least 32 inches wide
• Wheelchair-accessible voting locations, but inside and outside
• At least one accessible voting device at every location. These devices help voters who are blind, visually impaired, or have other accessibility needs.
• Poll workers to help you use accessible voting devices

You can also contact your state or local election office before Election Day to confirm your voting location has the accessibility accommodations you need. When you talk to them, be clear about what you need to make voting easy for you. You may also be able to ask for a ballot in your language or an alternative format (such as large print or audio).

If you learn that your voting location is not accessible to you, ask your election office about other available options. You may be able to: Vote through curbside voting, where a poll worker brings everything you need to vote to your car Vote at a different voting location that is accessible

Curbside Voting for Voters with Disabilities by State

• Curbside voting is a method of in-person voting where voters who are unable to physically enter their polling place (e.g., due to a disability) may request that a ballot be brought outside of the polling place to an accessible location such as a vehicle. A number of states either require or allow this option to be provided to voters with disabilities. View the MAP here.

Accommodations for voting by mail or absentee

In many states, you can choose to vote absentee if your voting location is not accessible for you, you’ll be traveling on Election Day, or if it makes more sense for you to vote from home. Ask for an absentee ballot in your state. Some states hold elections entirely by mail. Here are some examples of accommodations that may be available while voting by mail in your state:

• Voting materials in an alternative format, such as large print or audio
• Alternate signature requirements, such as typing your signature
• An accessible remote ballot marking system. This option allows you to mark a ballot electronically, print it out, and then mail it or bring it back to your election office.

Make sure to have a plan to return your ballot. Depending on state laws, you can return by mail, drop box, or have someone return the ballot for you. ​​Electronic ballot return is another option that may be available in your state. This option lets you send your ballot back through email, fax, or an online portal.  ​ ​​ ​​

More tips and resources for voters with disabilities

• Reach out to your local election office if you’re having trouble with your state’s election website or if your voting location isn’t set up to be accessible to you. 
• Find a protection and advocacy agency in your state through the National Disability Rights Network.  Here is a list of more resources for voters with disabilities.
• If you believe that you were discriminated against because of your disability when voting, report your experience to the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

The Native American Rights Fund advocates for the rights of Native voters across America, writing “it is altogether too hard for Native Americans to vote. They often must go off-reservation and travel outrageous distances to reach voting services. Many do not have home addresses or mail delivery, making registering and receiving a ballot difficult, if not impossible. Native Americans still face racial discrimination and hostilities when casting their ballots. NARF, in collaboration with Native American advocates across the country, have extensively documented these barriers and are fighting every day against this discrimination.” Learn more.

Combatting Native Voter Suppression

• Help the NARF) and Election Protection (EP) fight Native American and Alaska Native voter suppression by standing up for your rights! If something or someone is preventing you from voting, or you have a question or need assistance with any aspect of voting, call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) and a volunteer will assist you. When you leave your number, a NARF voting rights attorney can call you back to provide further assistance. NOTE: If you are Native, make sure to tell the operator that you are calling about a Native voting issue.
• 
  When to call:
• 
  You are told you can’t vote because you don’t have appropriate ID: Sometimes election workers improperly deny voters who try to use their tribal IDs. Sometimes election workers are required to let you fill out an affidavit if you don’t have an appropriate ID. Don’t leave without casting a ballot until you call 866-OUR-VOTE and talk with EP or someone at NARF about your rights! Note: tribal IDs are not an acceptable form of ID in all states.
• 
  You ask for a provisional ballot but are refused one: If an election worker says you can’t vote because of a problem with your registration, ID, or any other issue, ask to cast a provisional ballot. Don’t leave without voting until you talk with EP or someone at NARF about your rights!
• 
  Local police or other people are intimidating you or others: Voter intimidation is illegal. If someone is making you or members of your community feel uncomfortable or fearful casting your vote, call 866-OUR-VOTE so NARF or EP can help mobilize a response!
• 
  The polling place where you go to vote is unexpectedly closed: Sometimes polling places are unexpectedly closed. Election officials may say the closure is due to weather or staffing or something else. You still deserve to cast a ballot! Call 866-OUR-VOTE so NARFor EP can help mobilize a response!
• 
  You have a disability or don’t speak english but can’t being a helper: If you need assistance filling out your ballot, federal law says you are entitled to bring someone with you to help. People who are entitled to bring help include people with disabilities and people who don’t read or speak English. If you are denied access to assistance casting your ballot, don’t leave until you talk with EP or someone at NARF about your rights!
• 
  You jurisdiction doesn’t provide required language assistance: In AK, AZ, MI, WI, ID, NV, and TX, certain jurisdictions are required to make elections accessible in one of several Native languages. This means that election information must be translated into the covered Native language and that there should be bilingual election workers available to help Native language speakers understand the ballot and navigate the voting process. Covered languages include: Alabama-Coushatta, Aleut, Apache, Choctaw, Ho-Chunk, Hopi, Iñupiaq, Keres, Kickapoo, Navajo, Nez Perce, Paiute, Seminole, Shoshone, Tewa, Tiwa, and Towa, Ute, Yup’ik, Zuni. To learn where election information must be provided for Native language speakers visit: https://bit.ly/3VftlY2 and call 866-OUR-VOTE if required language assistance isn’t available.

A tribal leader’s guide to protecting voting rights

• The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) offers a series of written resources and specialized legal assistance to protect Native American rights, resources, and lifeways. The following are 3 ways NARF suggests to prepare for elections:
• 
  1. Submit a request to state election offices if your community would benefit from an on-reservation voting site.
• 
  2. Across Indian Country, homes do not have addresses, making it hard to register and vote. Tribes may be able to help by issuing letters as proof of address.
• 
  3. Request that local Indian Health Service provide voter registration services to increase registration rates among tribal members. For tribes that 638 compact health services, health facilities can become National Voter Registration Act designated sites. If interested, contact vote@narf.org

More on Addressing

• NARF in partnership with the Democracy Fund, can provide support to tribes and communities looking to address homes on Indian lands (see their guide here). Addressing that is compliant with the U.S. Postal Service’s format ensures that delivery can be conducted once the addressing is complete. Additionally, the postal service template is widely accepted on voting registration forms and commercial and utility applications of all kinds. Federal support for addressing efforts is available.

Additional Resources

• Find NARF voting guides by state linked here.
• Find guidance for election officials and poll workers linked here.

Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for every eligible voter to meaningfully participate in the democratic process – no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much money they make. We use tactics such as litigation, policy advocacy and communications to make systemic impact at all levels of government.

I have a felony conviction. Can I vote?

• Many people wonder “can I vote with a felony conviction?” and assume the laws have restricted their rights. But that’s not true! While many states have some restriction on felon voting rights, most states restore the right to vote to citizens after they complete their sentences. Up to 18 million Americans with past convictions can vote right now – they just don’t know it – because the felony disenfranchisement laws in every state can be confusing.  

Restore Your Vote Campaign – Determine Voter Eligibility:

• About the Campaign: Millions of Americans have lost their right to vote because of a past felony conviction. Progress is being made across the country to reform these laws, but the problem is even larger than the 5 million people who are legally disenfranchised. Across the country, there are an estimated 23 million people with felony convictions. Because of complicated laws, misinformation, and poor administration, a huge portion of the 17 million Americans with felony convictions who are not directly disenfranchised remain de facto disenfranchised.  
• 
  The Restore Your Vote campaign aims to tackle that problem by developing and executing scalable models for rights restoration services, community leader training, and broad public education to combat de facto disenfranchisement.
• 
  If you are a United States citizen, you can answer the key questions about your conviction(s) and determine if you are eligible to vote right now, or eligible to go through the process to restore your right to vote. The following website is anonymous: https://campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote
• 
  If you have trouble using CLC’s tool, or have a question about your convictions, call (202) 857-0314 or (888) 306-8683 (toll-free) or email RestoreYourVote@campaignlegal.org

MAP: Breakdown of Rights by State

• Every state has laws outlining who is eligible to vote, and almost all states restrict voting for those who are currently incarcerated for a felony offense—though a few states allow citizens to vote while incarcerated. States differ on when and how formerly incarcerated people can have their voting rights restored. View MAP’s breakdown of these rights here.

The following is sourced from Nonprofit Vote – view resources directly on their website here.

Can someone who is homeless register and vote?

• Yes. Persons experiencing homelessness can register and vote in all 50 states.

What should this person list as his or her home address?

• It is recommended homeless registrants list a shelter address as their voting address where they could receive mail. Alternatively, homeless registrants may denote a street corner or a park as their residence, in lieu of a traditional home address. The federal voter registration form and many state forms provide a space for this purpose.

Does the registrant have to have lived at this location for any particular length of time?

• Most states have some duration of residency requirements for voter registration –  for example, having resided for 30 days or more before the Election Day in the state or county. Contact your local elections officials to find out what the rules are in your state.

Where can I find more information on registration and voting for unhoused populations?

• You Don’t Need a Home to Vote Project
• 2019 Homeless Voting Rights Manual
• Our Homes Our Votes – Voting and Housing Justice

Every four years, U.S. citizens vote for president and vice president during a general election.

Presidential candidates

• Major political parties nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates at their party’s national convention. The candidates’ names will be listed on the general election ballot. 
• 
  Candidates from minor political parties and independent candidates might not have a national convention. But they may be on the ballot on a state-by-state basis if they meet the eligibility requirements. This usually includes collecting a certain number of signatures on a petition for that state.

Voting in the presidential general election

• In the presidential general election, citizens who are registered can vote on Election Day, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Depending on where you live, the voting period may be extended to include absentee ballots, mail-in ballots, and early voting. Source: vote.gov

The US Election Assistance Commission breaks the basics of Presidential Elections into three categories:

The Role of the U.S. President

• The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.
• 
  Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. Fifteen executive departments — each led by an appointed member of the President’s Cabinet — carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government. The President also appoints the heads of more than 50 independent federal commissions, such as the Federal Reserve Board or the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as federal judges, ambassadors, and other federal offices. The Executive Office of the President (EOP) consists of the immediate staff to the President, along with entities such as the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
• 
  The President has the power either to sign legislation into law or to veto bills enacted by Congress, although Congress may override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both houses. The Executive Branch conducts diplomacy with other nations and the President has the power to negotiate and sign treaties, which the Senate ratifies. The President can issue executive orders, which direct executive officers or clarify and further existing laws. The President also has the power to extend pardons and clemencies for federal crimes.
  

The Role of the U.S. Vice President

• The primary responsibility of the Vice President of the United States is to be ready at a moment’s notice to assume the Presidency if the President is unable to perform his or her duties. This can be because of the President’s death, resignation, or temporary incapacitation, or if the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet judge that the President is no longer able to discharge the duties of the presidency.
• 
  The Vice President also serves as the President of the United States Senate, where they casts the deciding vote in the case of a tie. Except in the case of tie-breaking votes, the Vice President rarely actually presides over the Senate. Instead, the Senate selects one of their own members, usually junior members of the majority party, to preside over the Senate each day.
  

Learn more about these roles and the responsibilities of the 15 cabinet positions appointed by the President here.

Voter guides and sample ballots include the candidates and the state or local issues up for a vote. Reviewing them before you go to the polls can help you decide who to vote for.

Voter Guides

• Voter guides provide background information on the candidates and ballot measures. They list who you can vote for and offer details on each candidate’s experience and goals. They also explain ballot measures, which are specific questions or issues that you can approve or reject.
• 
  Find online voter guides by home address nationwide. You can save your choices online and print or email your personalized ballot to bring with you to the polls. Regional newspapers often produce voter guides, as do issue-specific organizations.

Sample Ballots

• Sample ballots simply show you the elections and candidates and any ballot measures that will be on your real ballot. They will not provide information about the candidates like voter guides do. Your state may mail you a sample ballot or let you download one from its election site. The sample ballot may look exactly like the real one will.
• 
  Some nonprofit organizations produce unofficial sample ballots. These ballots may not look the same as what you will see when you vote but will provide the same information.

Can you bring sample ballots and voter guides into the voting booth?

• You can bring your notes, a voter’s guide, or a sample ballot into the voting booth. This frees you from having to memorize your choices for candidates and ballot initiatives. Some polling places do restrict cell phone use, so bring paper copies instead of using your phone. Check the rules with your local election office before you go.
• Source: vote.gov

Congressional elections happen every two years. At that time, one-third of the Senate and every seat in the House of Representatives is up for election. Midterm congressional elections take place halfway between presidential elections.

U.S. House of Representatives

• Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms. All 435 House seats are up for election every midterm and presidential election year. A representative must be at least 25, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state he or she represents. The number of representatives a state has depends on its population. Each representative serves a specific congressional district. Find your representative.

U.S. Senate

• Senators serve six-year terms. So they will not all be up for election at the same time, their terms are staggered. Every two years, during each midterm and presidential election year, a different third of the Senate is elected. A senator must be at least 30, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and live in the state he or she represents. There are 100 U.S. senators, two from each state. Find your senators.

Find out when to vote for Congress and get election results:

• Find your state to learn when to vote in person or absentee for your members of Congress.
• Get past results for congressional elections.

Judges have incredible power in interpreting and applying the law and in critical decisions in the criminal legal system, such as in accepting plea bargains, sentencing, setting bail and determining pretrial incarceration. In most states, the Supreme Court is the state’s highest level court, and their decisions are binding and final on matters involving state laws. 

Courts of Appeals are commonly under the state Supreme Court and their decisions can be reviewed by the state Supreme Court. Lower state courts are usually separated into divisions including criminal court, probate court involving wills and estates, contract and tort cases, juvenile court, and family court, based on the type of cases they handle. Some states have partisan elections for judges while others have nonpartisan elections or retention votes. You can review nonpartisan sources of judge evaluations such as state, city or county bar associations, and nonpartisan candidate scorecards to help you make decisions in judicial elections.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Sometimes called the Superintendent of Public Instruction or Education Commissioner, the State Superintendent leads the State Board of Education and has the power to approve or disapprove school budgets, resources, educational programming, and curriculum, superseding decisions made by local district school boards. The State Board of Education determines and regulates the curriculum of all school and establishes standards for assessments. They also are responsible for the accreditation and licensing of teachers across the state. In many states, the State Board of Education crucially appoints the textbook review panels that determine what students are taught and what teachers are allowed to teach.

In some states, there are virtually no educational requirements or expertise needed to be a textbook reviewer. The state also can remove school districts from local control. School districts removed from local control are disproportionately in Black, Latinx and low-income communities. State control often comes at the detriment of the districts as local administrators lose control over the allocation of resources needed to meet students’ needs, like after-school programs, free and reduced lunch programs, etc.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Who runs elections varies from state to state, but in the majority of states the elected Secretary of State is the chief election official. The Secretary of State is responsible for maintaining official election results and administering elections. They also work in conjunction with local election officials to provide training, maintain the voter registration database, and offer guidance. The Secretary of State is also responsible for certifying the state’s election results. 

Besides overseeing elections, the Secretary of State’s duties are largely administrative. They maintain state records, including registering businesses, recording official acts by the governor, commissioning and regulating notaries public, and certifying official documents.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

In most states, the Attorney General is the top legal advisor and law enforcement official in the state government. In most states, the Attorney General is elected. They represent the state and state agencies in legal disputes and provide legal advice to state agencies and the legislature. The Attorney General often has significant influence over the state’s law enforcement agencies. 

The Attorney General often works with the state legislature to propose and develop legislation and policies. They often work with federal agencies or local law enforcement on larger investigations. In many states, the Attorney General can step in and intervene if they can prove that a local district attorney did not pursue a case they should have. The Attorney General also represents the state when it is sued and can represent state agencies.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

The Governor is the chief executive of the state. Governors implement state laws, and oversee the operation of the state. They pursue policies and programs with the assistance of department and agency leaders. Governors have broad authority to appoint officials to serve in the executive branch. They have veto power over budgets and state bills passed by the legislature. In some states, the governor has the power to commute sentences or offer clemency.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Sometimes called the controller, the state comptroller is an elected or appointed official who oversees the state budget and investments, collects taxes for state programs, audits state finances, manages pension funds, and manages disaster preparation. Their responsibilities vary from state to state but typically comptrollers function as the state’s chief financial officer Comptrollers also often oversee fraud investigations and complaints made by the public.

In some states, the comptroller shares duties with the state treasurer or auditor. Generally, auditors manage the state’s accounting, conduct internal financial audits, and act as a watchdog over other state agencies. Treasurers usually oversee the state’s financial decisions but are less involved in the day-to-day bookkeeping.Some states have all three financial officers, while others have combined the responsibilities of the comptroller, auditor, and treasurer.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Public Service Commissioners generally regulate the state’s electric, gas, steam, broadband, and water utilities. They are appointed or elected. They determine rates for services, manage energy policy, and grant contracts. In some states, Public Service Commissioners regulate oil and gas industries and manage fossil fuel infrastructure projects, including pipelines. The work of Public Service Commissioners often overlaps with state environmental agencies, including the Natural Resource Commissioners and Land Commissioners.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

The title and duties of an Agriculture Commissioner vary state to state, but their role generally encompasses overseeing the regulation of agriculture in their state. The have substantial power in regulating the animal industry and food safety and meat inspection. They typically work with the State Assemblies and government to promote the enactment of legislation related to agriculture.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

School board members have power to make decisions on school policy, budgets, programming, resource allocation, curriculum, and faculty tenure and can have a dramatic impact on issues of equity and quality of the education provided in your schools. School boards hire the superintendent and sometimes have firing power over teachers and staff. School Boards can also draw school districts and sometimes create entirely new separate or splinter districts. These school district “secessions” are a force behind school segregation.

Recently, school board meetings have become battlegrounds for debates over COVID-19 mask mandates and protocols and the truthful teaching of our nation’s history. Unprecedented numbers of mostly white parents are attending meetings to demand that school boards ban teaching the racial history of the US. This highly organized and well-funded effort has co-opted an academic legal theory known as “critical race theory,” which is being used as the target of this attack. These recent efforts to prohibit schools from teaching accurate history when it comes to race are part of a long American history of backlash in response to demands for racial justice. Check out our FAQ page to learn the truth about Critical Race Theory and efforts to ban knowledge and understanding of racial history by our youth.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

While the role of a sheriff’s office varies considerably from state to state and even from county to county, sheriffs typically wield enormous power with little oversight. As elected officials, sheriffs should be accountable to their voters. Sheriffs can set arrest priorities, drive criminal investigations, execute search warrants, conduct asset forfeitures, establish use of force policies, and determine cooperation with ICE. Crucially, sheriffs often run local jails. 

They control jail policies, food, physical conditions, and the provision of mental and medical healthcare services for persons incarcerated. Some jurisdictions do not even require Sheriffs to have law enforcement experience or training, allowing anyone to be elected sheriff. Sheriff elections usually occur every four years, but this can vary by jurisdiction. They are typically elected without term limits and with few campaign finance regulatory restraints

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Prosecutors have discretion to determine whether a person is charged with a felony or misdemeanor and whether juveniles are treated as adults. They make recommendations on bail and pretrial detention, decide what evidence is shared with defendants, set the terms of plea bargains, and make recommendations on the severity of sentences. Their policies are linked to mass incarceration and racial disparities in criminal justice.

Prosecutors typically do not have term limits and little campaign financing regulations. Pressure from the public to make fast arrests and convictions or risk re-election can lead to abuses of power and misconduct that often go unchecked. Prosecutors are often considered the most important figures in the criminal justice system based on their broad discretion and the lack of oversight. Given the power that they have in the criminal legal system, voting on who will be the prosecutor in your city or county is a crucial way to make change.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Coroners are elected officials who oversee death investigations and autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. In many jurisdictions, anyone can run for coroner, with or without a medical degree or experience. Jurisdictions that have elected coroners hire Medical Examiners who are required to have medical degrees. In some jurisdictions, the opinion and determination made by the Medical Examiner, the forensic pathologist who conducts the autopsies, can be overruled by the elected coroner, who may have no medical knowledge.

Coroners typically do not have term limits and operate with little oversight. Who handles death investigations varies by state and jurisdiction. About half of all jurisdictions appoint a Medical Examiner and Forensic Pathologists who are required to have a medical degree and experience, while the rest elect a Coroner.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Local trial courts are where most criminal and civil cases are handled. These courts can be separated into divisions such as family, criminal, landlord/tenant, or general civil courts depending on the jurisdiction. In local trial court, judges and/or juries are charged with making a decision on a cased based on the evidence presented. Local judges are either elected or appointed depending on the state and jurisdiction. In 26 states, all local judges are elected, while 11 other states only elect some local judges. Eight states use partisan elections while 18 states use nonpartisan elections. Find out more about how local judges are selected in your state and jurisdiction here.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Sometimes called a Town Council or Board of Aldermen, a City Council acts as the legislative body of their municipality. The individual members of the Council are elected to office and tasked with representing their constituents. They have the power to review and approve the city budget, pass ordinances and resolutions, including criminal and civil laws and regulations, regulate public health and safety, establish tax rates, regulate land use through zoning laws, and represent the city at the state and federal level.

The election system for city councils varies by jurisdiction. In some cities, council members are elected based on wards or districts where voters live, which means you would only vote for the council member who will represent your district. Other cities elect their city councils using an at-large voting system where all voters citywide cast all their ballots for candidates in the jurisdiction and the candidates who receive the most votes win seats on the city council.

At-large voting systems are often discriminatory as they can prevent voters of color from electing candidates of their choice in cities that are majority white with racially polarized voting, as their votes can be drowned out by the votes of majority white voters who often do not support the candidates preferred by Black voters. Some cities use a mix of the two voting systems. Over three-quarters of all municipalities have a non-partisan election system, while the rest have a partisan election system. Check your local city or town website to find out more about how your city council is elected.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Mayors have varying levels of power and administrative authority depending on city’s government. A mayor’s duties often include managing and preparing the city budget, overseeing daily operations, appointing advisory boards or commissions, enforcing legislation, and more. Mayors oversee the city’s main departments, including police, fire, education, housing, health, and sanitation. Crucially, mayors often appoint department heads who set policies and manage budgets. Mayors often have final authority over fiscal issues and budgetary concerns.

Cities are often categorized as having “weak” or “strong” mayors, depending on the scope of the mayor and city council’s authority. In mayor-council governments, mayors have centralized executive authority and are generally referred to as “strong” mayors. Mayors are elected by the city and generally have greater legal authority and veto power. Mayors in mayor-council governments manage the city’s day-to-day operations.By contrast, in council-manager governments, the mayor’s role is often ceremonial and the city council has greater authority. Mayors in council-manager governments are often elected by the city council and lack special legislative powers. These are generally referred to as “weak” mayors. 

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

The County Board of Supervisors, also referred to as County Commissioners, County Executives, or Freeholders in some jurisdictions, oversee the operation of the county. Among many other things, they review, adjust, and adopt the county budget, set and levy taxes, adopt ordinances for the enforcement of county-wide actions, and represent county issues in front of state and federal legislative bodies. Crucially, counties are also responsible for registering voters and administrating elections.

Some counties are responsible for the administration of social services programs like Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), re-entry programs, environmental programs, and other state-mandated programs. Counties often determine which organizations to grant contracts to provide these services. Other county-level elected officials can include clerk, supervisor of elections, recorder, tax assessor, among others.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Planning and Zoning Commissions can be appointed or elected. They are a bodies that recommend the boundaries of zoning districts and regulations to be enforced to the town or city council. Their recommendations can decide who gets a permit to build in your neighborhood, why businesses are in one area and parks are in another, how your communities are zoned, and the availability and location of affordable housing in your town or county, which can drive segregation via the geographic concentration of housing on the basis of race and poverty. 

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

Local governments usually administer water supply, sewage treatment, garbage disposal, recycling programs, and other non-optional environmental services, including a playing a key role in setting the rates for these essential public services. Local governments also often regulate and manage utilities. In many jurisdictions, these environmental services are managed Public Works Commissions or Boards. Others have positions and boards dedicated to specific functions like Soil and Water Commissions, Conservation Boards, Water Boards, and others. Many people struggle to pay for these services, which can lead to service cutoffs and property foreclosures. 

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

A City Comptroller essentially acts as a city’s accountant or chief financial officer. They audit city agencies, approve city contracts, and invest the municipal pension funds. In some jurisdictions, they also act as the external auditor for the government budget. In New York and other jurisdictions that have comptrollers, their role acts as a checks and balances system for the mayor and city council.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute 

In Virginia, the Commissioner of Revenue is responsible for implementing and administering the tax policies set by the city’s governing body. They determine what is taxable within the locality of the Commonwealth and are responsible for state tax returns. They have the power to summon taxpayers, issue statutory assessments, audit taxpayer returns, and file civil and criminal proceedings against taxpayers for not filing tax returns or providing information.

Source: Legal Defense Fund, Thurgood Marshall Institute

The US Election Assistance Commission provides poll worker resources for voters and for election officials. The following information is provided on their Help America Vote page, linked here. View the page for additional resource guides.

What is a poll worker? Why should I sign up?

• Poll workers are critical to the success of an election. Having an adequate number of poll workers to staff polling places on and before Election Day can ensure voters receive the assistance they need at the polls and can help provide a positive and smooth voting experience for all. By signing up to be a poll worker, you can Help America Vote. 
• 
  While specific duties and compensation vary depending on location, poll workers are the face of the election office during voting. Most jurisdictions task election workers with setting up and preparing the polling location, welcoming voters, verifying voter registrations, and issuing ballots. Poll workers also help ensure voters understand the voting process by demonstrating how to use voting equipment and explaining voting procedures. 

Want to make sure you are prepared?

• The Poll Worker Preparedness Checklist is designed to assist poll workers as they prepare for Election Day. The checklist can help poll workers feel ready for Election Day and make them feel more confident as they prepare to serve their community. Get started and find out if you are eligible. Go to the State Compendium of Election Worker Laws and Statutes to:

1. Find out if you must be a registered voter in the state.
2. Find out if there is an age requirement.
3. Find out if there is a residency requirement.
4. Find out if a political party affiliation is required.

Additional Resources:

• Get matched to local polling locations in need of volunteers
• What to expect as a poll worker
• Poll Worker FAQ

The national, nonpartisan Election Protection (EP) coalition works so all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. Made up of more than 100 local, state and national partners, Election Protection works year-round to advance and defend your right to vote.

The Election Protection program makes sure eligible voters know how to cast their ballots and ensure they are counted.

• On Election Day (and during early voting) EP mobilizes voter protection field programs across the country — looking out for voters’ rights while practicing safe social distancing. Election Protection focuses on the voter – not on the political horse race – and provides guidance, information and help to any American, regardless of who they intend to vote for.

What does it mean to be a grassroots volunteer poll monitor?

• As a nonpartisan volunteer poll monitor, you will assist voters on Election Day should they encounter any problems voting. They make a crucial difference for voters — connecting them with trained legal professionals and resources they need to safely and securely cast their ballots.

What is the difference between “poll watchers” and the nonpartisan Election Protection program’s poll monitors?

• 
  Election Protection poll monitors need to attend trainings but do not need to be certified by election officials. Training programs are tailored to each individual state.
• 
  “Poll watchers” are people who are assigned to observe the polls on behalf of a campaign or political party and certified by the election officials – often inside the polling place. In some states, partisan poll watchers have the ability to challenge voters eligibility in the polling place.
• 
  Some individuals, parties and campaigns may also be outside the polling place, calling themselves “poll watchers” or “election observers” or similar. They may be explicitly partisan and for a particular candidate or party. These individuals do not have the right to enter the polling place.
• 
  The Election Protection program is nonpartisan and not affiliated with any campaign or party. EP recruits and trains volunteer poll monitors who do not enter the polling place, except in limited circumstances. As a nonpartisan poll monitor, you will stand (or be in a car) outside of the polling places, reporting any problems you see and helping ensure voters know their rights, report and solve issues that arise at the polling places.

The EAC offers a comprehensive social media toolkit for folks hoping to share election information and help ‘get out the vote’ in the US. Find graphics, drafted social copy, and best practices for posting – linked here.